Sad news as it’s been announced that director Tony Scott has passed away. He wasn’t the greatest director in the world, he didn’t win any Oscars, but he made a continuous string of excellent blockbusters including one of my favourtie actions movies, The Last Boy Scout. When you look at the list of his films there are remarkably few mis-steps among the hits. He was one the directors who, with other such as Adrian Lyne, helped re-define the blockbuster, bringing to it a new high concept sheen. This type of film is oft derided by critics, but lapped up by audiences. So hats off Mr Scott, thanks for making movies for people like me.

Having watched The Last Boy Scout one night I accidentally instigated an action double feature when, while surfing channels, Under Siege 2 came on. The contrast couldn’t be greater. Boy Scout is excellent OTT action. The date may say 1991 but the feelings were pure 1980s from Scott’s direction (watch for those tobacco filters), Shane Black’s script, Michael Kamen’s music, and Willis’ tired, aging, and scuzzy PI (he’s a bad dad and husband to boot). Damon Wayans (the one that’s not in Scary Movie) provides good support, a young Halle Berry features, and the bad guys are suitably sleazy. It’s a knowing film, that indulges its vices with relish and some terrific dialogue.

Under Siege 2 on the other hand is idiotic, predictable and has some of the worst special effects I’ve seen in a major studio release. Segal, as ever, shows all the emotion of a tortoise with constipation. The action is poor, falling back on recreating the first Under Siege’s knife fight at the climax and there’s some appalling use of recycled footage from other movies. Worst of all, it’s all done with a straight face, as if the film is actually about something.

The Last Boy Scout is £3.99 on Amazon. Under Siege 2 £7.99. There is something wrong with the world.